verb
- to decompose or break down (a chemical compound) by the action of light
Usage: technical; chemistry
Examples
- Chlorophyll molecules photolyze when exposed to sunlight during photosynthesis.
- The water molecule can photolyze under ultraviolet radiation.
- Scientists studied how the dye photolyzed in the presence of visible light.
- The compound photolyzed rapidly when placed under the lamp.
- Photolyzed products were collected and analyzed by the research team.